Barcelona midfielder Arthur in awe of playing alongside Lionel Messi

Barcelona midfielder Arthur says he’s in awe of Lionel Messi after getting an up-close look at what his star team-mate is capable of.

Arthur is in his first season at the club having joined from Gremio last summer, and has instantly become a vital player in Ernesto Valverde’s squad, having made 38 appearances for La Blaugrana and establishing himself as a first-choice midfielder.

The 22-year-old has impressed with his passing range and intelligence on the ball, and Arthur has hailed the impact of playing alongside Messi as he’s adapted to his new club.

Speaking after Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday, a result that leaves Valverde’s side needing just two more wins to secure a second straight La Liga title, Arthur revealed how Messi has helped players like himself and fellow summer recruit Malcom this season.

A first half of few chances at Camp Nou came to life before the interval when uncapped French centre-back Clement Lenglet rose to flick home countryman Ousmane Dembele’s corner for his first top-flight goal for the leaders.

La Real, however, remained undaunted and midfielder Mikel Merino’s slide-rule pass was well converted by forward Juanmi past the hour mark. Parity would last for only two minutes as Alba then cut inside and curled home an unstoppable third goal of the campaign, restoring a nine-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid with five fixtures to fulfil and keeping their weekend opponents down in 10th.

Expectation that head coach Ernesto Valverde might ring the changes for a second-successive week in the top flight dissipated an hour before kick-off.

Anchor man Sergio Busquets was the only member of the undisputed XI to watch from the substitutes’ bench, as Lionel Messi & Co. were entrusted with continuing the assault on the treble. There was also a start – among three switches – for recovering France winger Ousmane Dembele, who played only nine minutes in both Champions League quarter-final legs versus outclassed Manchester United because of a hamstring issue.

At the deep end of the campaign, when so many of his squad will be entering the ‘red zone in regards to injury risk and fatigue, this show of respect to a mid-table opponent who’d lost upon their preceding six trips to Camp Nou deserved inspection.

It certainly wasn’t without risk. The knock and enforced 55th-minute removal of growing Brazil centre midfielder Arthur represents a worry for the treble, treble, chasers.

Last weekend’s goalless draw at bottom-placed Huesca and this month’s troubling 4-4 stalemate at Villarreal showcased the danger of wholescale alterations.

Atleti’s late winner at Eibar also made the gap six points – with a game in hand – at kick-off. Uncomfortable, if a fresh slip-up occurred.

Even so, low-octane Barca did not burst out of the traps. Merino and Igor Zubeldia’s adroit smothering job in midfield helped cause Messi – who required a hat-trick to reach 600 club strikes – to go without a goal or assist in La Liga for the first time since March 2’s 1-0 triumph against Real Madrid.

By 55 minutes, Sociedad had six attempts on goal to their hosts’ five. They finished the contest, furthermore, with 51-per-cent possession to their exalted rivals’ 49 per cent.

Their delightfully crafted leveller that followed just past the hour mark was hardly unexpected.

It also kept alive the prospect of wrapping La Liga up by Gameweek 35 on April 27, meaning indispensable ‘R & R’ can be enjoyed before the Champions League semi-final second leg at Liverpool on May 7 – and beyond.

If the Catalans are to make it an unprecedented trio of trebles in 2018/19, Dembele will be key.

His fearsome speed, on and off the ball, adds welcome depth to an ageing side that can look, by their unfathomable standards, a tad sluggish.

The €147 million winger moved onto six assists for the season in La Liga and Champions League with a lofted, in-swinging corner that found the forehead of compatriot Lenglet. This equalled his tally in those competitions from 2017/18’s heavily scrutinised debut campaign.